SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Genetically-Attenuated Parasite Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise

By Ethan Covey

A genetically attenuated parasite (GAP) vaccine targeting malaria has been found to be safe and effective in initial clinical trials, providing hope for a new development in vaccine treatment for the disease.

The vaccine is a Plasmodium falciparum GAP with deletions in the P52, P36 and SAP1 genes (PfGAP3KO) (Sci Transl Med 2022;14[659]. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.abn9709).

“Though a malaria vaccine was approved last year by WHO [World Health Organization], the world could really